Proton recently invited members of the media to Malaysia’s own FIA-certified circuit, the Sepang International Circuit, to test Proton’s sporty sedan, the Proton S70. With this update, Proton is bringing the fight to the B- and C-segment sedan market. The updated S70 comes with several exterior enhancements and, of course, a brand-new engine to better align it with other Proton products. So the question is: does this new engine make the S70 better to drive than before? Let’s find out.

For the 2026 Proton S70, it now receives the same engine Proton has fitted into the X50 and X70 SUVs. This is the four-cylinder 1.5L turbocharged i-GT engine, capable of producing 181 PS and 290 Nm of peak torque. The engine is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, with power sent to the front wheels. According to Proton, the S70 can accelerate from 0–100 km/h in 7.5 seconds.

This time, the test circuit wasn’t just Proton’s own track. Instead, we drove the new S70 on the full Sepang International Circuit. Proton had actually rented the entire track for the session. However, it was conducted as a controlled convoy, as some attendees had never driven on the circuit before. There was a lead car and a sweeper vehicle to ensure everyone stayed together. For the test session, we were given two driving slots, with each slot allowing two laps of the track.

On my first run, I focused on getting a feel for the car. This was very much a first impression. Off the line, the car felt quite sprightly on the throttle. The sudden jerkiness typically associated with hard throttle inputs had been smoothed out. I didn’t experience any noticeable wheelspin during launch. The engine provided more than enough power for the track. The steering felt direct, giving the car a sportier feel in terms of handling.

During my first run, I also tried pushing the brake pedal hard to see how the car reacted under heavy braking. I noticed some twitching, and the car felt slightly unstable under very hard braking. I believe better tyres would likely improve braking stability. Upgrading the tyres could also enhance the car’s cornering capabilities.

On my second run, I adopted a smoother, more flowing driving style. Since the convoy leader wasn’t pushing at an extreme pace, I didn’t need to drive the car at its limit. When driven more fluidly through the corners, the S70 felt natural and predictable. At no point did I feel unsettled, and I was able to carry higher speeds into corners with greater confidence. This significantly improved my enjoyment compared to the first run. I also spent some time exploring the grip limits of the comfort-oriented tyres.

At the end of the day, the new Proton S70 attracted plenty of attention from enthusiasts. Considering you can get close to 200 bhp for under RM90,000, it’s hard to ignore the performance value on offer. The new engine certainly makes the car more enjoyable to drive, while the added power makes everyday driving feel even more effortless. As for fuel economy, it’s difficult to assess on a racetrack, so that will have to wait for the road review.